Exploitation of hybrid vigour in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.).

Nature and magnitude of gene action and extent of heterosis were studied in a set of 21 hybrids and their parents developed by diallel mating design without reciprocals in sesame. The parent G. Til-3 was found to be the best general combiner for seed yield per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule and number of branches per plant, whereas KMR-74 was good combiner for number of branches per plant and seed yield per plant. The crosses, KMR-74 x Patan-64, KMR-24 x G. Til-3, KMR-74 x KMR-77 and G. Til-3 x G. Til-10 exhibited high sca effect and showed highly significant positive standard heterosis for seed yield per plant. The SCA variance was more than GCA variance for the traits capsule length, number of seeds per capsule and seed yield per plant indicating the role of non-additive gene action for the inheritance of these traits. Hence, it is suggested that yield can be improved by exploitation of hybrid vigour through heterosis breeding.